Mud forts protected city’s early residents

With the city set to celebrate its 150th birthday Sept. 18, the Journal-World is taking a look at early-day life in Lawrence:

Several mud forts guarded Lawrence's perimeter during the 1850s and 1860s.

Five of the forts were built in 1855 to protect residents from pro-slavery forces. The men of the town divided into groups of about 50 to build forts at key locations.

Richard Cordley, who wrote "History of Lawrence" in 1895, said the earthworks were circular and about 5 feet tall, with the largest -- 100 feet in diameter -- at what is now Sixth and Massachusetts streets.